Veterinarian Hourly Pay in Commerce City, CO: $62.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinarian working in Commerce City, CO runs $62.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $129,804 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Weighted against Commerce City's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $59.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,884 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Commerce City, Colorado, veterinarians can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $62.41. This figure is slightly below the national hourly median of $66.03, reflecting the specific economic factors at play in this area. For those working part-time, such as a veterinarian operating three days a week, this hourly pay translates into a stable income, even without full-time hours. Per-diem veterinarians in the region often find themselves in roles that involve a diverse range of clinical environments, from general practice exam rooms to specialized referral hospitals and even university clinics. With an hourly pay range from $36.20 for entry-level positions to $96.72 for top earners, the opportunities are broad, albeit with variability in compensation based on experience and work settings.
About the Commerce City Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinarian Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.20 | $289.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.74 | $389.90 |
| Median (P50) | $62.41 | $499.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.50 | $635.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96.72 | $773.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Commerce City
Based on $62.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.41/hr, a veterinarian working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Commerce City, CO can expect to earn approximately $129,807 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,888. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Commerce City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Commerce City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,496.28 | $10,817 | $129,807 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,497.77 | $6,490 | $77,884 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $998.51 | $4,327 | $51,923 |
Compare DVM Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinarian (Commerce City) | $62.41 |
| Veterinary Technician (National Avg) | $19.39 |
| Physician (National Avg) | $113.07 |
| Dentist (National Avg) | $87.53 |
| Optometrist (National Avg) | $64.22 |
Veterinarians in Commerce City, CO earn a median of $129,804 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.48% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 3.00% below the Colorado state average of $133,819.
Veterinarian Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.41/hr = $77,884/year (purchasing power: $74,175).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $129,807/year (purchasing power: $123,625).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$43.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinarians in Commerce City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $60.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinarians in Commerce City grew 36.3% from $43.38/hr (2019) to $59.12/hr (2025). At a 5.56% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.88/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem veterinarians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Commerce City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Veterinarian in Commerce City
Veterinarians considering part-time work in Commerce City can calculate their annual earnings significantly differently than their full-time counterparts. For instance, a veterinarian working 24 hours a week could bring in $80,554 annually, which is quite respectable when adjusted for the part-time nature of the role. The per diem market offers even more lucrative options; relief veterinarians frequently command billing rates from $90 to $140 per hour, with specialty fields like surgery or emergency care pushing rates upwards to $250 per hour. Hourly pay can also differ substantially based on the employer type, as corporate chains may offer lower hourly rates compared to independent practices but provide benefits that can make up the difference. This compensation structure is crucial for new graduates, especially given the corporate consolidation trend impacting the profession—a mix of urgent need at understaffed clinics and opportunities at various practice models provides options. When negotiating hourly rates, it's vital to consider the total compensation package, including benefits that could offset the base pay while contributing to a sustainable career in veterinary medicine.
More salary data for Commerce City, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM
Career Analyst
Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for veterinarians in Commerce City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Commerce City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov